Anyone on just Taxotere and Cytoxan?
Comments
-
Sorry to hear about all the bad days...hang in there was reading a book last night and someone said they got tired of hearing..God only gives us what we can handle and her response was - I wish He didn't trust me so much!
Jisman - our last one is the same day...yes I have the swelling too, and keep telling them, but no fluid pill for me...I swear it is b/c they didn't give me as much steroid for #3, b/c I didn't have a reaction 1 and 2....my slogan is Everday on Chemo is an Adventure
My finger nails look funny...lines on all of them...need to take the polish off off the toes and see what they look like.
Artsee - thought I escaped the eye twitch this time and then it started yesterday...left eye this time...
Yes, we all will get through, and YES, I don't know what I would do with out this conversation...
0 -
Hi guys (oops, ladies): I know exactly what you mean about not wanting to go through anymore of this. It has been a week since tx#3 and I can't tell you how many times I have suggested skipping tx#4. My onco seemed so "wishy-washy" about chemo or not chemo (low oncotype score of 12 but 42 yrs. old), that I hope I'm not just torturing myself. By May 7th I'll probably feel different though.
When my little boy was going through his 2nd transplant and my husband was diagnosed with kidney cancer (no, we don't live on a landfill), the saying "God doesn't give you more than you can handle" drove me crazy! I know people just want to help and give us inspiration to keep going. I honestly have the most wonderful family,friends, and community.
robink: I don't think waiting until mid-May is a big deal. I know a couple of people who were told to go on their planned vacations or whatever before starting chemo. That is really not very long. Can you guys believe April is almost over!!
On a happier note, is anybody else excited about new summer breasts? I have always been pretty satisfied with mine, but I must admit they have been moving a little south over the last few years. I am thinking I can get some great halters this summer!
SharonS: I would love to hear some of your exercise ideas. I really want to do the breast cancer 1/2 marathon in NYC next spring.
Have a great evening everyone!
Debbie
0 -
Jisman: Is Abraxane the same drug as Taxotere just prepared differently? Is the cost the only reason it is not given in place of Taxotere? I had a reaction tx#2 which is a little scary. Do you mind if I ask what part of NY you are from?
goldilocks: It sucks that you have to do this again! You have to grumble here where everyone knows what you are going through.
Good night ladies!
Debbie
0 -
Hey, all--
This will be short because, believe it or not, I'm kind of sleepy. I got back from TC tx #2 around 7:30 p.m. (2-hr drive), and so far (knock on particle board), I'm feeling much better. The chemo tx went very smoothly--no SE's during the infusions at all! I was sooooo happy about that.
I wanted to hug the chemo nurse for being so careful and attentive. Heck, I met with my onco and her nurse before my infusion, and they were so concerned and responsive, I wanted to hug them, too. Hugs all around, I guess.
Sorry to hear how rough it has been for those of you recovering from tx #3 or tx #4. The fingernail thing is something I had not heard about until I started reading these boards. The neuropathy is very spooky--even my onco is concerned about it, in advance since I don't have symptoms yet. We have a new plan for the awful indigestion I had last time, and that plan should allow me to get on top of the Neulasta pain more quickly.
So, I'll check back in tomorrow (one of the perks of being retired) and see what words of encouragement I can offer. I can't think of anything that would top what bdatlanta has said, though. No wonder she passed her support group interview!
Darn, I just heard that the cost of rice is going way up, and some stores are rationing it. Just what I need, when I've discovered that the "BRAT" diet is a solution to my post-chemo GI problems. Can you substitute pasta for rice? BPAT instead of BRAT...
G'night, all; and since I feel so good at this point, I'm sending some virtual strength vibes to those of you who have chemo tomorrow or are struggling with SE's.
Hugs to all....
otter
[Edit: sorry--that wasn't short after all.]
0 -
Hello All,
Well it looks like so far the SE's are not too bad for the majority of you. That means great luck for all the Thursday Ladies.
Good Luck to .....Sueper13, LorenaB, lewing, tiff2008, SQK and Tigwin(me) !!!!
Adding the Friday Girls....cinlee,RNKaren and KristyAnn.....be a follower no SE's YEAH !!!!!
We rule the chemo world it does not rule us.
Good luck to all this week.
We are all going to follow and the small amount of SE's girls and have a great day tomorrow. YEAH !!!
0 -
How long does it take for Taxotere to totally leave your body? My palms and soles of my feet have been itching for several hours. I did a search on this site & it said that it's an allergic reaction to the Taxotere.
My last tx was 2 fridays ago - shouldn't it be gone by now?
susan0 -
Guitar girl...have you tried benadryl or hydocortizone cream? Both are over the counter products to relieve itchying. You can also take benedryl orally. they should help you. Please call your onc tomorrow and discuss. Hope you feel better.
0 -
Hi everybody. I've been AWOL for a few days, sorry. Had to do a bunch of pre-employment stuff Tuesday (starting new job 5/5) and yesterday I had the nipple construction surgery, which went well. It was such an easy procedure for those of you that have this ahead still. No IV, no anesthesia (except a local, which I didn't even feel the needle for it), and very minimal bleeding. The whole thing took about 15 minutes to do. The new "nip" looks HUGE-thank God she told me this beforehand-it shrinks overtime I guess. The tattooing will be in about one month. I'm hoping the finished boob looks good b/c right now, it's not too pretty. But the whole thing will be done for the summer... woohoo!
Aurora: I've been using the Nioxin shampoo. Can't tell if it's helping with hair growth or not. Of course, I want my hair back NOW, so it's growth isn't fast enough for me regardless.
Dellmonica: Welcome! You sound well prepared after your "virgin" round. Best of luck with the remaining 5.
Beegirl: Sorry I didn't get to reading until today. I hope you nipped the nausea in the bud and the last infusion went well. I probably would've recommended the compazine as others suggested.
Otter: Like debap already said---if there's an allergic reaction to taxotere, the treatment is to immediately stop the infusion, flush with saline, and give IV benadryl (even if you had pre-meds.). Sometimes you may also get decadron IV (again, even if you had some as a pre-med). When the infusion is restarted, it should be slower, and all subsequent infusions of taxotere should be slow. I had 2 reactions to taxotere (same symptoms as debap's reaction), despite pre-meds of benadryl and decadron and slow rates, but responded after they gave me more benadryl and decadron and slowed the infusion down even more. I am so glad to be done and not have to do it all again! This is not all that common though, so no worries. And the chemo nurses know to look for it so they watch very closely (at least that's how it was at my center).
You might be getting enough of a dose as a pre-med that they don't feel the need to do the decadron for 3 days like others. As with most things in medicine... different doesn't mean wrong. There are many ways to accomplish the same effect. Maybe you could ask your onc what his rationale is for his method just to end the curiosity. Mine does the 3 day regimen to help with the taxotere side effects (immediate and delayed) and also to help with nausea.
Revkat: an hour for taxotere is pretty standard. It's a question of how many rates they did during that hour. Often it's one rate for 15 minutes, then another increase for the last 45 minutes. Sometimes there's even a third rate increase. After my first reaction, I got taxotere over an hour and a half, then 2 hours after I reacted again. Each time, they did 3 rate increases.
Steroid tapers happen usually with high dosages, not the length of time you're on the drug. Most of us don't get really high doses that a taper would be necessary. For instance, if I treat a really bad poison ivy case, I start with 60mg of steroid once a day and taper down each day over a week (last few days are 10-20 mg doses). For many of us, the total amount we're getting is 16mg per day for 3 days. That's a low dose for an adult.
Algw: the red flush the day after chemo is from the decadron. If taxotere was going to make you red, it would be with the immediate reaction like debap and I experienced.
Tigwin: you're partially right about your guess with steroid doses. Any drug given IV is a lower dose than oral. IV drugs act much faster on the body b/c it's immediately in the bloodstream, so less is needed to get the effect. Oral is absorbed through various parts of the GI tract. So it takes longer to get an effect, and some of the drug can be "lost" when the body breaks it down and metabolizes it.
BD: glad the "interview" went well. Never a doubt in my mind they wouldn't want you. You'll definitely add some spark to the group. Can't wait to hear your commentaries! Take care of that hot boobie in the meantime! And your "inspirational" post to the group was fabulous. Are you sure you aren't leading your support group??
Ladybug: Hang in there! First of all, I found chemo to be like a roller coaster-many ups and downs with each cycle. I would have good days before the next round each time. Second, let your onc know what's bothering you so they can make adjustments and help you feel better along the way. As I've said before-no medals are given out for chemo martyrs, you'll just feel like crap if you try to muscle through!
Evie: I'm almost 6 weeks out from my last treatment. Bad news-I still have the eye twitches off and on. Good news: they're definitely improved, and I'd say almost gone. Hang in there.
Goldilocks: Last round!!! Woohoo! I found it to be really hard to drag myself in there that time. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. After the last bout of SEs, it's all uphill, sister! I'm here pullin' ya through!!
Robink: I'm no onc, but I think your proposal is reasonable. I was dx in 8/07, and didn't start chemo until 1/08. I'd run it by your onc, with your reasons for delaying it a bit (that job sounds good, and finances are important!).
OK, caught up. I'll catch ya later girls!
0 -
Morning,
Chj: Hope you are better. I am today. Steroids making me nervous, but hey...WTF let's do this thing.
Yesterday when it rained it poured. Literally late last night. But on a personal note, on the way to the dr, my air conditioning went out in my truck. It was hot and muggy, put all the windows down, thank goodness it was cooler outside than in the truck. Dh is taking it in today to get it fixed. He offered me his car to bring to work today. Bless him.
Then it had been a regular routine to go out to dinner with family each time the night before chemo. Well, that didn't happen either. They called and said how about coming over to eat...after the day I had I told them I wasn't sure. Didn't want to scream at them. It was not a day to change everything!
I said I would call them when I got home for work and let them know. I spoke with dh on the way home; ranting and raving...he said calm down, deep breath, get home, it will be ok. Whew, thank goodness he felt my stress and trauma! I called them shortly after and said that it was not a good day and we would just hook up later. GRRRRR... ended up eating frozen pizza that tasted like cardboard! Anyway, emotions were high, pain was high, did have to have a glass of wine. It helped....Today, I feel better and can face the future with out the tears. So far, but it's early. Thanks all.
Have a sunny Thursday.
0 -
Good morning everyone!
Goldilocks, bummer of a day you had! When your taste buds are behaving, you want GOOD FOOD, hello?? I went back to your profile to reread your posts to make sure I knew your schedule, since I'm having trouble keeping track of who is doing what (last tx for you, wahoo!!) and I read your profile. Wow, we have a lot in common! (besides the fact that we are 2X survivors). My dh & I are in our 28th year of marriage also, with no kids. He is my best buddy (most days, we have our moments
). You are 5 years younger, though.Anyway, hang in there (and everyone else, too). I'm doing a lot better today, and it's going to be another beautiful day! Have I said lately how much I appreciate all of you??
CHJ
0 -
Chj: RIGHT ON! Hope your day is a better day also. I will go in for this last tx and then I plan to go out for a nice dinner, before everything kicks in. Dh said that this is my time not anyone else's and they shouldn't be trying to change how I feel, roll with the punches and come out a winner. I agree with you that my dh is my best buddy and confidant.
Happy a se free day, and laugh, laugh, laugh.
Cynthia
0 -
Hi, everybody!
KathyL, how did your derm appt go? I asked my onco about the red spots on my hands, and she made an interesting prediction. She said they were probably solar (actinic) keratosis lesions, and the Taxotere/Cytoxan might make them go away. She said this chemo regimen can "cure" mild forms of skin cancer. One sign of a reaction is the redness, peeling, and itching I was experiencing. It's sort of a chemical peel. She said the reaction was different from the Taxotere rash, which usually occurs sooner after the infusion. Wouldn't it be great to have a good SE from chemo?
Whatever the reason for my different pre-med protocol, it sure seems to be working. I got Decadron/Zofran and then Zyrtec (no Benadryl) in my i.v., and then a 15-20 min wait before the Taxotere...and had no reaction at all. Same as with tx #1. The nurse ran the Taxotere at 150 ml/hr for 10 min, and then ramped it up to 250 ml/hr after it went in OK. Total Tax time was a little more than an hour. She did run the Cytoxan pretty fast--it took only 30 min, and I felt some mild sinus burning but no headache so I guess that was OK.
The Neulasta shot was almost painless. She pre-warmed it, and was very gentle (plus I always try to relax my arm when getting shots so the skin & muscles aren't tensed). I have no such hopes for the aches I'll get by Saturday, but maybe this time I can take Advil often enough to provide relief. My onco said Advil is good for bone pain, and it really shouldn't mess up my stomach like I feared it would.
Also, my onco OK'd Prilosec (OTC generic) for the indigestion, and told me to take it at the prescription dose which is 2 x the OTC dose. She said if it didn't work, she would call in a script for Nexium or Protonix, which are even stronger.
All-in-all, I'm feeling OK today, but I'm sure glad I don't have to go to work or manage a household with kids like some of you. I'm woozy-headed and tired, so I took a Phenergan for the woozy feeling and my morning Prilosec. So far, way less tummy discomfort than last time. Now, if I can get off my butt and start moving around, that should help, too.
Hugs to all. I need to update the tx calendar with some more names, and get started on next week's schedule. How many of you are getting dose-dense tx (every 2 weeks?) instead of every 3 weeks?
otter
0 -
KathyL - Many thanks for your response. Really helpful. Will try it on my next cycle for sure as I am permitted to take Claritin.
Everyone - It is day 11 and the aches and pains are now much better but my stomach is driving me nuts!! Even though I'm eating very little, my tummy feels heavy and I seem to get terrible gripes and need to rush to the toilet. Has anyone else experienced this and how long does it last?
Since I've been on chemo and feeling really unwell we have a new rule in our house. Anyone who wants to visit must bringsa meal, serve it and clear up!!!! This rule was devised by my lazy sister who hates cooking and housework and after the first couple of visitors, came up with this brilliant scheme!!! Works pretty well
0 -
Tonic, are you taking anything for the stomach problems? I had non-stop indigestion for the first 10 days last time, so I need to attack that with stronger meds this cycle. Also, I developed diarrhea and abdominal cramps at around day 5 of the first cycle, and it lasted about 3 days (ended when I started taking Imodium). Between those two problems, I had a hard time being motivated to eat much of anything besides really bland food (the "BRAT" diet).
It would be really nice to not have to deal with that this time!
otter
0 -
Otter - I'm really excited about what your onoc said about your red spots - that that this regime could take care of mild skin cancer. I really believed that if I ever got cancer, it would be skin becuase I've always been a beach and boat girl. When I wasnt' there, I was outside somewhere. Maybe if any is there, it will take care of it.
0 -
Morning all --
otter -- good to hear from you. I wondered how your day went.
KathyL -- thanks for all the detailed responses!
So it's day 3 and this is when I started feeling bad last round, so I'm a little nervous. But so far so good. . . so I'm just going to try to enjoy it as long as it lasts.
0 -
Hi Otter,
I've not really taken any medication for the indigestion other than OTC antiacids. I'm not constipated but just uncomfortable.
0 -
Debap - I live in Putnam County. Where are you? ABRAXANE uses albumin, a human protein, to deliver the chemotherapy. It does not contain chemical solvents, that are needed to dissolve the drug before it can be injected into the bloodstream. This eliminates the need for premedication with steroids or antihistamines for hypersensitivity reactions caused by these solvents. It's newer and therefore has less long-term data than the others but has been clinically proven to be effective with later stage BC and is now being used in early stages.
Goldilocks - sorry to hear about your rough day. As we go through this, our threshold for BS is just so much lower than ever before. Hang in there!
For anyone who enjoys ice cream and can still taste it ... April 30th is Baskin-Robbins 31 cent scoop day. May need to check to see if your local shop is participating. I'm going for a treat after my last chemo!
0 -
Otter: my derm. appt. was uneventful. No new lesions for me, and I got a new RX for an acne medication (I don't usually have acne, but it's been bad since chemo). Anyway, good to hear your derm news. I think actinic keratoses are a form of "pre" skin cancer-- my mom has had them and hers are usually just removed (no treatment otherwise). Makes sense that chemo would help straighten those wayward cells out!
Goldilocks: Hope today is a better day for you. Sounds like yesterday sucked.
Jisman: Abraxane sounds much kinder than the d*mn taxotere! I wonder if more will use it when there are taxotere reactions...
0 -
Kathy - congrats on your new nip!! I'm sure it will settle down over time.
CHJ
0 -
I hope this is not a sign of things to come for me. I am transferring from the military hospital I have been using, because it is 3 hours each way. I am having tx#3 done here at the hospital in town, suppose to be very good, right? So, yesterday I was having a bad day, a very bad day, things worse than tx#1. So I call the military hosp where I had the tx done and called new place too since they have all my records and it would be easier and quicker to get there if I needed too. Dr from military hospital called me back lastnight, not much they could really do since they would need to see me, I understand that. And of course they had a doctor call me who isn't familiar with my case, not much help there either. However, they did at least call me back, and I thanked her for calling me back at least. The university hospital did not call, not a word one. It makes me wonder, am I making a mistake transferring my care half way through? I mean, originally I was transferring to do the radiation, cause lets face it 30 trips of 3 hours each way isn't going to happen. I would be exhausted after the first week, let alone broke with gas prices the way they are right now. Has anyone else changed facilities during treatment? If so, how did it go?
0 -
goldilocks.... you made it through the day .. keep telling yourself that .. and if you managed to do it w/o killing anyone, all the better! 0
-
Glad to hear this week's victims are doing ok and hanging in there. I'm on day #3, tx #2 and feel good except for not being able to sleep longer than 2 hrs. at a time. I dose off, but then wake up sweating or going to the bathroom from all the fluids I'm drinking. Listening to my husband and dog peacefully snoring away-ugh. Got Neulasta yesterday and waiting for that shoe to drop.
I wish you all a good night's sleep!
0 -
algw - I'm right there with you with snoring husbands and dogs. I almost wanted to wake everyone up last night when I couldn't sleep
0 -
Hi everyone... still waiting for my oncotype results. I will do TC 4x as well. A little scared after reading all of your comments yet nice to be educated as to the possible side effects.
Were any of you able to work during the time of tx?
0 -
hello..so my nails have the lines now...and I am walking the dog this afternoon and my left toes especially the next to little one starts killing me - so I come home take the polish off and that toe is all swollen, I have not done anything to it....the toe nails all look ok - anyone have this as a se?
So don't know what that is about....my eye lashes and brows are thining and barely hanging on, so I guess the third taxotere is hitting them
The good thing for today is that it is less than a week until my last treatment...and I am looking forward to getting that behind me....
a little nervous about the daily trips for rads....but guess I will get used to it
algw - I am over not sleeping...I take tylenol pm or ativan if my feet are feeling funny...I still wake up for bathroom breaks, but back to sleep I go...my husband has complained a couple nights when he couldn't sleep and was up....and I said you were up....I always heard him get up before....I also told him where the tylenol pm is...
hope everyone has a good night....
0 -
SharonS, I've been wondering about the nail problem. How often does that happen on Taxotere/Cytoxan, and how long does it take for it to develop? How many women end up losing their toenails or fingernails?
My day was not spent as I'd hoped. I felt so great yesterday that I had a short list of errands to run today. Instead, I felt so foggy-brained and worn out that I slept most of the afternoon. Wasn't expecting that.
Still, it's better without the indigestion, right?
otter
0 -
Rosario - My chemo week I take off ( I get chemo on Monday and then work the next two weeks. The first 2 days back are usually a little rough - kind of foggy. But the rest of the week is good and the next week and then it is off for chemo again.
Deb
0 -
Hello All,
Today I went to Chemo Universtity and have returned well informed and over whelmed. I had them schedule my first treatment - May 1st. I just have this feeling that if I don't get this underway I'll back out and go hide out in Ohio with my Mama.
I'm sure I'll be reading and rereading all your posts but still be seeking advice. Thanks in advance for your understanding!
0 -
This is day 2 from tx 1 and still pretty uneventful. I was a little shakey this morning - couldn't get the mouse to stay where I wanted it to. No nausea, all my taste. I know it's too soon to be real hopeful, but I'll take what I can.
0
